One of Those Days

The call came in at about nine in the evening for a person with high blood pressure and a headache. As we pulled up to the house we were met by a very overweight man without a shirt. I assumed he was my patient so as I got off the engine I asked him what was going on. He told me that it wasn't him but that it was his stepdaughter. She was standing by the car in the driveway waiting for us. She was 20 years old and in decent shape so my initial response was to think that there is no way she has high blood pressure. Sure enough, her blood pressure was through the roof. She also told us that in addition to her headache, that she was experiencing chest pain and trouble breathing. She said that the chest pain was what was bothering her the most. So Erin and I started treating her with some nitroglycerin, aspirin, and oxygen. I then tried to start an IV. she is 20! She has great veins! And I'm got great IV skills (I humbly proclaim). Wouldn't you know it, I blew the first IV attempt. I tried again in the other arm. I haven't tried to start an IV on someone with veins this good in a long time, but do I get the IV on the second attempt? Nope! At this point I realize that I am having one of those days. It's kind of like when an MBA player is just a little bit off on all his shots. None of my shots were going in. I swallowed my pride and decided to wait for the MBA paramedic. When she got o scene I gave her my report and let her know that she needed to start the IV. She gave me a look which said, "One of those days?" Everybody has them.